Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Garner, B Beale, D Foster, and G Hirons.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2012 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor R Pritchard)

To receive any declarations of Members’ interests (personal and/or personal and   prejudicial) in any matters which are to be considered at this meeting.

When Members are declaring a personal interest or personal and prejudicial interest in respect of which they have dispensation, they should specify the nature of such interest.  Members should leave the room if they have a personal and prejudicial interest in respect of which they do not have a dispensation.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

Announcement by Councillor D Cook

Given the continued ill health of Councillor Brian Beale the Committee Members have been changed. Democratic Services have received a copy of the new Committee Structure and a copy will be sent to the Leader of the opposition.

Announcement by Anthony Goodwin (Chief Executive)

Given the nature of the Questions to Council regarding the Scrutiny Meeting the Chief Executive has agreed to accept the questions but after speaking to the Solicitor of the Council it has been agreed that she attend the meeting after these questions have been asked.

(i)                 To answer questions from members of the public pursuant to Procedure Rule No. 10.

(ii)               To answer questions from members of the Council pursuant to Procedure Rule No. 11

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL                NO.1

Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor R Pritchard will ask the Leader of the Opposition the following question:-

"The Labour Candidate for the PCC elections is on the Shadow Crime board, and therefore is selecting the independent members that will scrutinise the Police and Crime Commissioner.  Does the Leader of the Opposition share my concern that individual who could be running Tamworth Police is selecting the individuals that would scrutinise her or her opponent?"

The Leader of the Opposition gave the following reply:

No, I do not agree with Councillor Pritchard

Supplementary Question

So you will not be raising this issue with your party colleagues?

The Leader of the Opposition gave the following reply:

Such conversations are for party colleagues and as such I do not wish to share with the Conservative Party.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL                NO.2

Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor M Couchman will ask the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management, the following question:-

"Not withstanding the very wet summer which has led to prolific vegetation growth, does the Portfolio Holder accept that the Weed Management provision provided by Staffordshire County Council is not fit for purpose, and can he tell us if there are any proposals to review that contract"

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management gave the following reply:

All SCC owned and managed highways and associated footpaths are sprayed by the CC contractors, and are the sole responsibility of SCC. Tamworth Borough Council does not incur any charges for this work, however conversely we have no control of these assets as they are the responsibility of SCC.

In respect of our own assets the majority of which are the paved areas outside of shops within housing areas, we use our reverse agency agreement with the CC to facilitate weed control.

Supplementary Question

The contract costs £6,280pa. Do you not think this could be better spent by using operatives in house?

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management gave the following reply:

No

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL                NO.3

Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor J Faulkner will ask the Leader of the Council, the following question:-

"At the Aspire & Prosper Scrutiny Meeting held on 29 August 2012, Councillor Michelle Thurgood called into question the professionalism of a senior officer of this Council. What disciplinary action has been taken against Councillor Thurgood’s unjustifiable and outrageous statements?"

The Leader of the Council gave the following reply:

I totally agree with Councillor Faulkner, the professionalism of any Officer should never be bought into question and especially in a public forum.

If any member is either dissatisfied or has evidence of incompetence, it should be brought to the attention of the CEO.

That said; members do have the right to question and indeed challenge officer’s advice provided it is done so in a respectful, proportionate and balanced manner.

Whilst I was not present at the meeting, it has been suggested that the boundary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets

This report is being presented to Cabinet on 5 September 2012 agenda item 8

http://democracy.tamworth.gov.uk:9071/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=120&MId=386&Ver=4

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets seeking approval for the Annual Report on the Treasury Management Service and Actual Prudential Indicators 2011/12 was considered.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets seeking approval to vary the lease to allow the Rugby Club to create an additional floodlit pitch; to further re-negotiate the lease to include occupation of the entire lodge building, carryout refurbishment works (new planning application/building regulation approval required), and to complete improvements to current car parking provision was considered.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management informing Council of Cabinets’ preferred option in response to the petition received by the Council in respect of locking and unlocking all cemetery gates all year round was considered.

A motion was made to make the following amendment:

            b) The Council resume locking and unlocking the Cemetery gates.

(Moved by Councillor J Faulkner and seconded by Councillor R McDermid)

This was a motion without notice.

It was negated by the substantive motion being carried, accordingly rule 14.6(a) did not apply.

Report of the Chair of Audit and Governance Committee

The Report of the Chair of Audit and Governance Committee seeking Member approval for the adoption of the revised Counter Fraud and Corruption Policy Statement, Strategy & Guidance Notes and Whistleblowing Policy was considered.